Canada’s government, through the Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, announced a $24 million investment through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to establish the Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium. The Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium will be Canada’s first national research consortium focused on cannabis and brain health.

“This initiative will bring together researchers and expertise from across the country to study how cannabis affects brain health across the lifespan. It will also create a coordinated national research infrastructure to facilitate data harmonization, pooling, and access across provinces and territories, establishing a national resource that researchers throughout Canada can use for years to come.” the Canadian government wrote in a press release announcing the public investment.

According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), more than one in three Canadian adults reported having used cannabis in 2025. Canada’s government noted in its press release that “while many people use cannabis without experiencing serious adverse effects, important questions remain about its impact on brain health at different stages of life, particularly for youth, pregnant people, frequent users and people at increased risk of mental health harms.”

“This initiative will bring together researchers and expertise from across the country to study how cannabis affects brain health across the lifespan. It will also create a coordinated national research infrastructure to facilitate data harmonization, pooling, and access across provinces and territories, establishing a national resource that researchers throughout Canada can use for years to come.” the Canadian Institutes of Health Research stated.

“Good health policy starts with strong evidence. This $24 million investment will bring together researchers from across the country to advance our understanding of how cannabis affects brain health and generate knowledge that helps improve care, inform policy and supports the health of Canadians.” Minister of Health Marjorie Michel said about the effort.

“As cannabis use and products continue to evolve, so must our understanding of their effects on health. The Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium will help researchers build a stronger understanding of how cannabis affects people’s health at every stage of life, generating knowledge that can guide prevention, care and evidence-informed policies for years to come.” Dr. Patricia Conrod, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, added.

Cannabis use and how it may impact brain health has been the focus of a lot of scientific research in recent years. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has put together a great resource containing information about cannabis use and its impact on the human brain, according to the findings of various research efforts.